Macon observes final day of Kwanzaa

Community members gathered at Homeland Village to observe Imani, the seventh principle of Kwanzaa.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Community members gathered at Homeland Village Thursday to mark the final day of Kwanzaa.

Participants spent time praying and meditating, focused on Imani, the seventh principle of the holiday.

Fadil Muhammad, co-founder of The Kwanzaa Cultural Access Center Torchlight, said Imani focuses on faith. He says it’s not just about faith in God. Imani includes faith in family, community, and the belief that one’s struggle is worthy, even in the face of adversity.

“Faith, not only is faith in the most high that gives us life, but also it’s faith in our families, faith in ourselves, faith in our institutions, our community. Reflecting on what it means to be worthy of faith”, Muhammad said.

The theme of Kwanzaa’s final day it timely, taking place on New Year’s Day. While you think about where faith appears in your life, Muhammad says now is also a time to think about the year ahead.

Here in Macon, KCAC Torchlight has been celebrating since 1992, but the first celebrations date back to the 1960s.

Kwanzaa is a cultural holiday created in 1965 and first celebrated in 1966, rooted in African culture and African American traditions. While Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday, it is spiritual. The final day focuses on strengthening spirituality and reflection moving forward.